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Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) — Cichlidae

Stone-lifting eartheater

Retroculus lapidifer
Family: Cichlidae

The Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The stone-lifting eartheater is a cichlid from fresh water of the Tocantins and Araguaia basins in Brazil. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with glittering spots and a pointed head. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand in search of small invertebrates and drags stones to protect its brood. It is a substrate brooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stone-lifting eartheater?

The Stone-lifting eartheater has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Stone-lifting eartheater live?

The Stone-lifting eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Stone-lifting eartheater get?

The Stone-lifting eartheater grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Stone-lifting eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Stone-lifting eartheater is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — François-Louis Laporte, comte de Castelnau (Public domain)
Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Tsssss (CC0)
Stone-lifting eartheater (Retroculus lapidifer) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Joreu Henrique, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Stone-lifting eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Retroculus lapidifer
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Retroculus

More from the family Cichlidae

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